Hastings seeks feedback on purchase program

Tuesday

Jun 29, 2004 at 12:01 AM

By MARC KOVACStaff WriterBIG PRAIRIE A Holmes County woman who is serving on a statewide advisory group focused on farmland preservation is seeking comments from area landowners about the Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program.Lucille Hastings of Big Prairie was appointed to the Ohio Farmland Preservation Advisory Board by state Agriculture Secretary Fred Dailey last year and will serve through the end of 2005. She represents all of northeastern Ohio.The board overseas the state program, through which landowners voluntarily place an easement on their properties to protect prime farmland and natural areas from development. Farmers selling their development rights retain ownership of the land. However, they and future generations of owners give up the right to develop anything on the land other than for agricultural uses, except by judicial order.The Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program application process involves a two-tier approach. The first includes objective questions that carry certain point values, while the second involves questions that are more subjective.The highest-scoring applications on the first-tier portion are selected as finalists; a state advisory board then reviews the second-tier questions to determine those that will receive funding.The advisory board plans to meet next month to discuss the application process and make recommendations for changes."The (application) form is a very fluid thing," Hastings said. "Each year, it is subject to revision."Hastings said residents are welcome to contact her with suggestions, and she said she will present those comments to the board."Each time we tinker with it, we're trying to make it more fair," she said.Hastings can be contacted at (330) 496-2472 or by writing to her at 12785 county Road 330, Big Prairie, 44611.County reporter/Farm Editor Marc Kovac can be reached at (330) 287-1645 or e-mail at mkovac@the-daily-record.com.